Io and Phoebe

I name my birds after the moons of planets.
What do they call themselves?
Or do they have names?

Migration

I'm moving again,
averaging more moves than the annual migration of birds,
carrying more weight in books than the mass of a flock seeking winter homes.

I would gladly trade in my books for wings and feathers, and for the magnificent view of Earth, leaving behind the weight of humanity.

The Opposite of Bird

Tonight I tried to imagine
The opposite of bird,
And I thought,
If bird is spirit,
Then the opposite of bird
Must be death,
Or sorrow.

Noise

I have nothing to say.
Not yesterday, not today.
The noise yesterday from next door ....
I couldn't listen to the birds; I could only hear the noise.

Fewer Birds

Have you noticed fewer insects, frogs, birds, butterflies?
If you aren't paying attention, you won't notice the change,
Until you hear about it from scientists or politicians.

Big Red Berry

A juvenile Stellar's Jay begged for food
While clamping a big red berry in his beak;
Along the cliffs I heard Sea Gulls calling in the Wind.

Birdlistener

I listen to birds.

Woodpeckers, Scrub Jays, Red-Shouldered Hawks, Oregon Juncos, Anna's Hummingbirds...
The kinds and numbers change by the moment.

When I hear birds I live in a different universe.